Broncos Open 40th Anniversary Season with 5-2 Win Over Prince Albert
The Swift Current Broncos kicked off their 40th Anniversary Season in winning fashion Saturday night, defeating the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2 in their Home Opener at the InnovationPlex.
Swift Current opened the scoring while shorthanded at 9:22 of the first period. Trae Wilke set up Parker Rondeau, who buried his first goal of the season to give the Broncos an early 1-0 advantage.
The Broncos doubled their lead on the power play at 15:47. Jace McFaul and Hyde Davidson combined to set up Wilke, who found the back of the net for his first of the season and the 50th goal of his WHL career.
Prince Albert answered before the end of the period, as Ben Harvey scored on the power play with just eight seconds remaining to cut Swift Current’s lead to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
The second period featured plenty of physicality but no scoring. Things boiled over with just over six minutes remaining in the frame when a line brawl erupted, resulting in seven game misconducts. Despite Prince Albert outshooting Swift Current 12-3 in the period, Cal Conway kept the Raiders off the board to preserve the Broncos’ one-goal lead.
Swift Current restored its two-goal advantage at 4:28 of the third. Ty Meunier and Brendan Rudolph set up McFaul, who scored his first of the season to make it 3-1.
The Raiders refused to go away, with Owen Corkish scoring on the power play at 11:24 to once again bring Prince Albert within one.
But the Broncos delivered the insurance marker at 17:14, and it was a memorable one for Oliver Torkki. The Broncos import forward buried his first career WHL goal, with Zach Pantelakis and Wilke picking up the assists, to give Swift Current a 4-2 lead.
Rudolph then put the finishing touches on the victory, scoring into the empty net at 18:07 to secure the 5-2 Broncos win.
Conway was outstanding in the Swift Current crease, turning aside 36 of 38 shots to earn his first victory of the season. Prince Albert finished with a 38-25 advantage in shots, while the Broncos went 1-for-3 on the power play and the Raiders finished 2-for-5. Swift Current also held a 33-27 advantage in the faceoff circle.
Wilke led the Broncos offensively with a goal and two assists, while McFaul recorded a goal and an assist.
With the victory, the Broncos begin the 2026-27 season with a 1-0-0-0 record.
Swift Current is back at the InnovationPlex on Friday, September 25, when they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors.
